USPS Shipping Services January 18 Pricing Change

[Mgamer20o0]

On January 18 prices for Express Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Select, Parcel Return Service, Global Express Guaranteed, Express Mail International, Priority Mail International, and M-Bags change. As always, we do not impose fuel surcharges, hidden surcharges, or surcharges for residential or Saturday delivery.

The move to January price changes for shipping services is consistent with industry standards and provides a clear picture of the affordable services we offer. Highlights for domestic shipping services include new Commercial Plus pricing, with up-front discounts for high-volume Express Mail and Priority Mail users. On average, Commercial Plus prices for Express Mail are 14.5 percent less than retail prices; Priority Mail Commercial Plus prices average 7 percent less. We are also introducing a new, smaller Priority Mail flat-rate box. The new box is priced the same as the flat-rate envelope and provides a great option for customers sending smaller items that require sturdy packaging and the convenience of flat rate pricing.

Prices for Express Mail and Priority Mail are designed to maintain the Postal Service’s competitive position as the best shipping value in the market, especially for packages weighing less than 5 pounds. The new prices also make Parcel Select, our “last mile” ground product, an even better value for high-volume shippers. For international mailers, Global Express Guaranteed, Express Mail International and Priority Mail International are the best value in global shipping.
New flat rate prices effective January 18, 2009
Flat Rate Envelopes and Boxes Retail Commercial Base Commercial Plus Priority Mail —


Envelope $4.95 $4.80 $4.75 Small box $4.95 $4.80 $4.75 Regular box $10.35 $9.85 $9.67 Large box $13.95 $13.50 $13.27 Large box (APO/FPO) $11.95 $11.50 $11.30 Express Mail —


Envelope $17.50 $16.63 $14.96

This pricing change is the first to separate shipping and mailing services. We will announce the price change for mailing services in February, including stamp prices, with new prices effective in May 2009.
http://www.usps.com/prices/pricechanges.htm?from=prices&page=newshippingprices

[Bettacreek]

Heard about this a few days ago. :/ Can't wait until they actually get the definate pricing out for EVERYTHING.
Thanks for the reminder though. :)

[spunjin]

Yeah this does suck.

[Mgamer20o0]

well they said what a year or two ago they will be doing this every year so get used to it. all the prices for what they are changing now i think is defined. 1st class will be changed at a later date thats what we dont have the new prices too.

[vampie]

Yeah this does suck.

What're you talking about? This is awesome, price increases rock!

Though, the small-sized Flat Rate Box does intrigue me. I wonder how small it actually is.

[Mgamer20o0]

5-3/8” x 8-5/8” x 1-5/8”

http://shop.usps.com/wcsstore/PostalStore/upload/images/SMALL-FRB_200x200.jpg

[Bettacreek]

The first class is what I was looking for, lol.

http://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductCategoryDisplay?catalogId=10152&storeId=10001&categoryId=13359&langId=-1&parent_category_rn=11820&top_category=11820

If you click on a specific box, it will give you the price that they will be to ship after the 18th. ;)

[Riiz]

Mgamer, what Flat-rate box were you using this past summer/fall for plants, cause I dont remember seeing you quote any of the prices I see on the USPS site?

[Bettacreek]

Most sellers also tack on delivery confirmation, some also add paypal fees to their shipping, so you won't find the exact price on the USPS page. The charges on the flat rate boxes are the absolute bare shipping. PLUS, if there was insulation and heat packs, etc, etc, it will bump the price more. It's only fair that the buyer pays for the heatpacks, delivery confirmation, etc.

[vampie]

Well, that's certainly small. I was kinda hoping it'd be Box 4.


It's only fair that the buyer pays for the heatpacks, delivery confirmation, etc.

Which is exactly why I've changed my mind about including a heatpack on those fish I'm going to ship you.

[Bettacreek]

That's fine, just let me know when they ship out and when to expect them. Now I have myself and my husband to wait for them.

P.S. Box four on the link I gave is a small flat rate box. ;)

[vampie]

That's fine, just let me know when they ship out and when to expect them. Now I have myself and my husband to wait for them.
I was only kidding.


P.S. Box four on the link I gave is a small flat rate box. ;)I meant I was hoping that Box 4 (http://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10152&storeId=10001&categoryId=13354&productId=11635&langId=-1) was going to be the new $4.95 Flat Rate Box as opposed to this one (http://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10152&storeId=10001&categoryId=13359&productId=42601&langId=-1).

[Mgamer20o0]

Mgamer, what Flat-rate box were you using this past summer/fall for plants, cause I dont remember seeing you quote any of the prices I see on the USPS site?
for the most part with plants i dont ship out using flat rate. unless they are in the pots and heavy they should stay under a pound so i use box 4 i think it is. the square box. for driftwood i use laptop flat rate box for fish i use the lunch box flat rate box.

[Riiz]

for the most part with plants i dont ship out using flat rate. unless they are in the pots and heavy they should stay under a pound so i use box 4 i think it is. the square box. for driftwood i use laptop flat rate box for fish i use the lunch box flat rate box.

That makes since, you were always cheaper than the prices on the USPS flat-rate prices. Wondering if you had a business account or something, hehe.

[Kashta]

Thanks for the pointers, Mgamer. Using that for a guideline will help me a lot.

I took all my stuff down to ship things out yesterday and, of course, they were out of the smallest boxes. (I've stocked up shipping supplies now.) Having to go up one size added about $5 to those package costs. Not the buyer's fault, of course.. so I'll pay the difference. But it's okay, I'm still learning. The most important thing is to keep these costs down as low as possible - so they can afford to buy more plants/etc.. and spend less on postage.

Thanks again! :goldfish:

[jmhart]

I read an article a while back by Consumer Reports where they tested USPS, UPS, and FedEx for Next Day/Express Mail services. They sent 50 envelopes to 50 cities. From all 3 carriers, all arrived the next day, but USPS was about 1/3 the cost.

Prices go up, but like they say, still the most competitive.

[DarrylR]

I am completely new to shipping and I saw each box had a default shipping quote, I thought all you had to do was bring the package to the post office. They weigh it than you pay for shipping?

So whatever the package is... shipping is ONLY :

Envelope $4.95 $4.80 $4.75 Small box $4.95 $4.80 $4.75 Regular box $10.35 $9.85 $9.67 Large box $13.95 $13.50 $13.27 Large box (APO/FPO) $11.95 $11.50 $11.30 Express Mail —

Also what does Retail, Commericial Base, and Commercial Plus mean?

[paperdragon]

Those prices listed are for flat rate boxes. Regular Priority you still pay by the weight/zone.

[DarrylR]

So flat rate ONLY refers to that shipping chart, and you do not pay anything extra for shipping but that set price.

And priority shipping is based on weight and zone?

Wouldn't flat rate be cheaper than seeing it has a default set shipping price?

Also some boxes say priority and flat rate... any clarifications :S.

I have about -100% clue about shipping.

(Paperdragon- and all your plants are doing great :) from the raok)

[paperdragon]

So flat rate ONLY refers to that shipping chart, and you do not pay anything extra for shipping but that set price.

And priority shipping is based on weight and zone?

Wouldn't flat rate be cheaper than seeing it has a default set shipping price?

Also some boxes say priority and flat rate... any clarifications :S.

I have about -100% clue about shipping.

(Paperdragon- and all your plants are doing great :) from the raok)

Flat rate uses Priority mail, which is why the boxes say both. Sometimes regular Priority makes more sense because if you have an 8x10" (can't remember the actual size right off) box that weighs less than 1lb you'd pay $9.85 flat rate, but only around $5 regular Priority.

(glad to hear they're doing good :))